Kidneys and Suprarenal Glands Flashcards
What are the functions of the kidney?
- Production of urine
2. Endocrine functions
What are the endocrine functions of the kidney?
- Renin for angiotensin system
2. Erythropoietin –> directs hemopoietic stems into proerythroblasts
What are the 2 parts of the suprarenal glands?
- Cortex
2. Medulla
Describe the cortex of the suprarenal gland and its function:
Paler, outer region that is essential to life (Addison’s dx)
- mineralocorticoids for H2) and electrolyte balance
- glucocorticoids for carb metabolism
- sex hormones
What is the function of the medulla of the suprarenal gland?
- Epinephrine for HR
- Norepinephrine for BP via vasoconstriction
- Fight or flight response
Is the kidney peritoneal or retroperitoneal?
Retroperitoneal
What does the posterior surface of the kidney contact?
- Superiorly: diaphragm
- Inferiorly: psoas major, quadratus lumborum, and transversus abdominis
The kidneys extend from which vertebral levels?
T11 to L3
The superior pole of the R kidney is at the level of the:
12th rib
The superior pole of the L kidney is at the level of the:
11th rib (L kidney is a little higher up, usually)
What is the hilum of the kidney?
Vertical, medial fissure through which vessels, nerves, and the renal pelvis enter or exit the kidney. Lateral to the hilum, these structures pass thru a fat-filled cavity - renal sinus
What is the renal parenchyma?
Renal cortex and renal medulla
What is the renal cortex made up of?
Granular appearing tissue located beneath the fibrous capsule. Renal columns is continuous with the renal cortex; they extend inward between the renal pyramids of the renal medulla
What is the renal medulla made up of?
18 cone-shaped renal pyramids whose bases are outwardly directed. The apex of the renal pyramid is the renal papilla.
The renal papilla are capped by:
Minor calyx, which extend into the renal sinus
How does urine get to the ureter?
Within the renal sinus, a funnel-shaped renal pelvis receives input from 2 or 3 major calyces. Each major calyces receives input from several minor calyces, which cap individual renal papillae. Exiting the kidney medially, the renal pelvis narrows near the inferior pole of the kidney and transitions into the ureter
Is the ureter peritoneal or retroperitoneal?
Retroperitoneal
How does the ureter descend? (over what structures)
Descends on the ANTERIOR surface of the psoas major muscle and passes POSTERIOR to the gonadal vessels, courses ANTERIOR to the bifurcation of the common iliac artery and then makes a sharp bend over the pelvic brim and courses to the bladder in the floor of the pelvis
What is the renal fascia?
Membranous CT layer surrounding the perirenal fat. It merges medially with the adventitia or the renal vessels, superiorly (above the hilum) the fascial layers fuse with each other, and inferior to the hilum, the renal fascia is continuous with the CT surrounding the ureter
The renal fascia creates this space:
Perinephric space (R and L) which is occupied mostly by perirenal fat
Do the R and L perinephric spaces communicate?
NO, they do not communicate across the midline, however the spread of infection or hemorrhaging from structures contained in this space (kidney, ureter, renal vessels, and suprarenal gland) allow an unobstructre path (contained by the perinephric space) for its spread from the kidney/suprarenal glands, all the way down into the pelvis
What is in between the kidneys and the suprarenal glands?
A thin fascial septum (from the renal fascia) separates the suprarenal gland from the superior pole of the kidney
What are the contents of the perinephric space?
- R or L kidney
- R or L ureter
- Suprarenal gland
- Distal renal, suprarenal, and ureteric vessels
- perirenal fat
What is perirenal fat?
Adipose tissue between the fibrous capsule of the kidney and the renal fascia surrounding the kidney/ureter. This is continuous with the fat within the renal sinus
What is pararenal fat?
Adipose tissue located external to the renal fascia. The pararenal fat invests the kidney and suprarenal glands
Anteriorly, what is the pararenal fat covered by?
Parietal peritoneum
Posteriorly, what is the pararenal fat covered by?
Transversalis fascia
What structures are related to the ANTERIOR surface of the R kidney?
- Suprarenal gland
- Liver
- Duodenum
- Hepatic flexure of colon
- Small intestine
What structures are related to the POSTERIOR surface of the R kidney?
- 12 rib and diaphragm
- Psoas major
- Quadratus lumborum
- Aponeurosis of transversus abdominis
What structures are related to the ANTERIOR surface of the L kidney?
- Stomach
- Spleen
- Pancreas (tail)
- Splenic flexure of colon
- Suprarenal gland
- Jejunum
What structures are related to the POSTERIOR surface of the L kidney?
- 11th and 12th rib
- Diaphragm
- Psoas major
- Quadratus lumborum
- Aponeurosis of transversus abdominis
What vertebral level is the IVC with hepatic veins coming off?
T8
What vertebral level does the esophagus enter the abdomen?
T10
The celiac trunk is at:
T12